Intrusion alarm

ABSTRACT

Alarm apparatus includes a can which has a valve and contains pressurized gas and is mounted on a support. A horn is mounted on said can. A cover is releasably mounted on the can. Spring means mounted on the support is held in normally stressed condition by the latch. When the latch is released, it actuates the valve and also acts to eject the cover from its position covering the apparatus.

United States ateut [191 Pappas et a1.

[ 1 May 15, 1973 54] INTRUSION ALARM [75] Inventors: Michael Pappas, lrvington; Paul A. Witte; Thomas Johnson, both of Hopewell, all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Falcon Safety Products, Inc., Mountainside, NJ.

22 Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 219,251

[52] U.S.Cl... ..ll6/86,109/43,116/112,

248/313 [51] Int. Cl. G08b 13/08 [58] Field ofSearch ..116/6,38,43,41,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,519 10/1952 Paladino ..1 16/67 R 3,224,644 12/1965 Davis ..248/313 X 3,244,137 4/1966 Garvet... ..l16/106 3,530,817 9/1970 Garvet ...1 16/106 3,561,395 2/1971 Piersma... ..1 16/86 3,670,689 6/1972 Pappas ..1 16/112 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi Azmrney- W. F. Sonnekalb Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT Alarm apparatus includes a can which has a valve and contains pressurized gas and is mounted on a support. A horn is mounted on said can. A cover is rcleasably mounted on the can. Spring means mounted on the support is held in normally stressed condition by the latch. When the latch is released, it actuates the valve and also acts to eject the cover from its position covering the apparatus.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEHTEU WI 51973 mOE w n" J I i INTRUSION ALARM This invention relates to intrusion alarms, and more particularly to an alarm which causes the blowing of the gas-power-operated horn by tilting of the horn body which is mounted on a tiltable valve which, in turn, is mounted on a canister containing gas under pressure.

A number of alarms are known which operate an acoustic device such as a whistle or horn upon occurrence of a predetermined condition such as on forceable opening of a door or a window or drawer. Some devices of this kind have no means to give any immediately apparent visual indication to indicate that the alarm has operated and stopped sounding when no one (except the intruder) was around to hear it. Some such devices in the fire alarm art have had visual indications to indicate operation or loss of power fluid, but such indicating devices are separate and/or add to the manufacturing cost of the device.

Other devices involve numerous parts or are costly or unreliable or are bulky.

It is an object of this invention to provide an alarm using a small powerful power operated horn and a minimum of operating parts which can be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alarm of the aforesaid type utilizing a simple latch mechanism that can be easily set and can be operated or unlatched by force applied to it in any of many directions.

Another object is to provide an alarm of the aforesaid type which uses a leaf spring as an operating element and simultaneously as a securing element for holding the horn on the mounting element or mounting bracket for the device.

Another object is to provide an alarm device of the aforesaid type in which a protective and/or ornamental cover is automatically released or dislocated on operation of the device incident to an attempted intrusion, to prevent muting of the sound, and to avoid the need for a sound aperture, and to give a visual signal that the alarm has operated, even after the horn blowing has ceased.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as is described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a phantom perspective view of an audible signal alarm embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the horn supporting mechanism and latch mechanism as contained inside the cover of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the supporting mechanism of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket alone.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal mid-section view ofthe cover.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawing, a long narrow channelshaped mounting bracket 10, stamped from sheet metal, has a flat central portion with its longitudinal side edges bent up normal thereto each in the same direction, thus forming parallel flanges 12. At one end (the upper end, the upper end as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) identical slots are cut in the flanges adjacent to the backplate producing fingers 17. In the slots is inserted a triangular latch and release plate 50 whose purpose and function will be described later.

In the mid-portion of the bracket 10 is mounted a canister clamp member 30 which is formed from a strip of sheet metal and bent into substantially cylindrical form. The diameter of the clamp is such as to fit around a cylindrical canister 40 of a small power-operated horn of the type described in copending application of Michael Pappas, Ser. No. 21,244. Briefly, the horn comprises a flared trumpet part 42 having a part 44 radially extending from a horn body containing a hollow passage (not shown) which is internally screw-threaded and screws upon an externally screw-threaded hollow stem of a valve 46 extending from the top of the cylindrical canister 40. The canister contains a liquefied gas such as Freon (TM). The valve stem is tiltably mounted so that as it is tilted, gas is released through the hollow stem into the horn connection 44 and enters the horn body to cause the horn to blow. Since the horn is mounted on the stem 46, tilting of the horn body will cause the horn to emit a loud warning sound when the device is operated as hereinafter more fully described.

In order to mount the can clamp on the mounting bracket 10, a rectangular aperture 14 is formed in the mid-portion of the flat backplate of the bracket to receive a portion 22 of the can clamp which is radially offset outwardly from the curvature of the clamp. Above and below the aperture 14, narrow strip portions 15 and 16 of the backplate are lanced out forwardly. These lanced out portions thus form flat loops 15 and 16, which are spaced forwardly of the backplate of the bracket a distance equal to the thickness of a sheet metal leaf spring member having an upper part 21 and a lower part 22. The lower part 22 is flat and of a lateral dimension less than the lateral inside dimension of the flattened loops so as to be insertable through the flat loops l5 and 16 over the offset part of the canister clamp when that offset part is seated in the aperture 14 of the bracket plate 10. Since the spring end 22 when thus inserted overlies the clamp, the clamp is secured to the bracket as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

For the purpose of exerting an outward force away from the backplate of the bracket, the upper end 21 of the leaf spring member is bent out at an oblique angle to the lower end 22 as shown in FIG. 3. The outward force of the spring end 21 is normally restrained in the assembled or set condition of the alarm, by the latch and release member 50.

In order to set the alarm after the canister clamp has been mounted as described, the upper end of the spring 21 is bent toward the backplate of the mounting bracket until its tip touches the backplate. Then, the latch member 50 is inserted inthe slot 17, thus restraining the spring in stressed condition. The horn and canister are mounted by inserting the can in the clamp 30 with the horn body opposite the upper spring ends 21.

In order to release the latch, it is connected to the end of a wire 60 or other connector member, such as a chain, a cord, or the like, which in turn may be connected to a window, door or other closure or thing, against which unauthorized movement or opening or removal is to be guarded.

In the form illustrated which is merely exemplitive of several different equally desirable forms, the wire 60 is looped through a hole in the corner of the latch member 50 and passes through a guide hole in a lug l9 bent out from a wing 18 extending from the mounting bracket. The wire may or may not be extended through a sleeve or thin hollow tube, the end of which can be secured to the lug 19, if desired. The wire, chain, or other connector may be secured to the latch plate in any position through holes in its three corners and will operate equally well, it being an advantage of the invention that a pull downward on wire 60, or on a chain, cord or the like, to either side in any of the directions shown by arrows, will slidably remove the latch plate and release the spring and allow it to engage and tilt the horn and the valve stem to cause the alarm to operate.

The device as thus far described is not ornamental. Therefore, the dual purpose of covering the operating mechanism of the device and giving visual notice when the alarm has sounded in the absence of anyone but the intruder, an ornamental and protective cover 70 may be provided. As illustrated, the cover is of hollow rectangular form but its form and external appearance may vary according to the desired usage and particular needs. The cover is mounted on the canister by means of two or more parallel fingers 72 which extend inwardly of the cover from the inside flat forward surface thereof. The tips of the fingers are preferably curved inwardly slightly towards each other and spaced at a distance apart equivalent to something slightly less than the diameter of the can to be embraced. Thus, the cover can be pressed against the can after the horn has been mounted in the operating mechanism, and the fingers will embrace the side of the can, thereby holding the cover over the apparatus and concealing it.

In operation, when the latch plate 50 is dislodged, the upper portion 21 of the spring is released and moves outwardly from the backplate of bracket towards the horn body. As the spring presses against the horn body, it moves due to the fact that it is mounted on a tiltable stem of the valve. This movement is also imparted to the cover; and the device is designed so that the movement of the horn body is sufficient to cause the fingers 72 of the cover to disengage the can body. Thus, two functions are performed. Firstly, the horn is caused to sound by the tilting of the valve, and, secondly, the cover is released and falls to the floor to give a visual indication that the device has operated. Thus, even after the gas within the can has been exhausted and the horn blowing has stopped, it will be apparent by visual observance of the device that it has operated. If, as expected, the sound has frightened off the intruder, the absence of the cover will at once indicate that the canister must be replaced with a new full canister, and the device must be reset. Automatic cover removal has the additional advantages of preventing muting of the horn sound and avoiding the need for an aperture in the cover for free acess of sound.

Preferably the fingers 72 will embrace the can body to points just past a longitudinal diametrical plane through the can so that the cover need be pressed over the can only sufficiently for the fingers to move slightly past said plane in order to maintain the cover in place. Conversely, the cover need be moved only a short distance to disengage the can body. After the fingers are retracted past said plane, they exert a force on the curved surface of the can body which tends to eject the cover.

Many modifications within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the exact form as herein described and illustrated.

We claim:

1. An alarm device comprising a supporting bracket having a recess, a leaf spring having one end attached to said bracket and having its other end biased away from said bracket, a clamping member of generally circular form having an offset portion received in said bracket recess, said secured end of said leaf spring overlying said offset portion and holding said clamp on said bracket, means integral with said bracket holding said leaf spring on said bracket, a latch plate releasably mounted on said bracket in position to hold the biased end of said spring in stressed condition, a pressurized fluid container mounted in said clamping member, a tiltable outlet valve mounted on said container, a gas powered acoustic device mounted on said valve in position to be engaged by said spring when said spring is unlatched so as to tilt said acoustic device and valve, and a passageway between said acoustic device and said valve for passage of gas from said container to blow said acoustic device when said valve is tilted.

2. In an alarm device as claimed in claim 1, a cover enclosing said alarm device, flexible means on said cover gripping said container to hold said cover in place, said acoustic device being positioned in said I cover to engage and move the cover when said acoustic device is moved by said spring thereby to cause separation of said cover from the alarm device.

3. Alarm apparatus comprising a support, can supporting means on said support, a can containing pressurized gas held by said supporting means, a tiltable valve on said can, an acoustic device mounted on said can, spring means on said support, releasable latch means holding said spring in stressed condition normally inactive with respect to said acoustic device, said spring means engaging said acoustic device when unlatched to tilt said device and valve and release gas to blow said acoustic device, a cover for said apparatus, means releasably holding said cover on said can, said acoustic device when tilted by said spring means engaging said cover and causing disengagement of said can and cover.

4. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said cover holding means comprises resilient fingers embracing said can.

5. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said fingers after movement by said spring engage said can at points exert an ejecting force of said cover from said can.

6. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said can is cylindrical and said fingers embrace said can at points beyond a longitudinal diametrical plane and the movement of said cover by said spring means causes withdrawal of said embracement to points less than to said plane.

7. Alarm apparatus comprising a bracket, can supporting means mounted on said bracket, a leaf spring having an end bent at an angle to said bracket and another end extending over said supporting means to hold the latter on the bracket means formed on said bracket engaging said other end of said spring to hold said spring in place, a releasable latching member engaging said bent end of said spring adjacent said bracket, a can containing pressurized gas held by said supporting means, a tiltable valve on said can, a gas-pressureoperated acoustic device mounted on said valve and taining pressurized gas mounted on said support, an acoustic device mounted on said can, valve means op,- erable to release gas from said can to operate said acoustic device, a cover releasably mounted over said apparatus, releasable latching means, spring means mounted on said support and held in normally stressed condition by said latch, said latch means when released actuating said valve means and also removing said cover from its position covering said apparatus. 

1. An alarm device comprising a supporting bracket having a recess, a leaf spring having one end attached to said bracket and having its other end biased away from said bracket, a clamping member of generally circular form having an offset portion received in said bracket recess, said secured end of said leaf spring overlying said offset portion and holding said clamp on said bracket, means integral with said bracket holding said leaf spring on said bracket, a latch plate releasably mounted on said bracket in position to hold the biased end of said spring in stressed condition, a pressurized fluid container mounted in said clamping member, a tiltable outlet valve mountEd on said container, a gas powered acoustic device mounted on said valve in position to be engaged by said spring when said spring is unlatched so as to tilt said acoustic device and valve, and a passageway between said acoustic device and said valve for passage of gas from said container to blow said acoustic device when said valve is tilted.
 2. In an alarm device as claimed in claim 1, a cover enclosing said alarm device, flexible means on said cover gripping said container to hold said cover in place, said acoustic device being positioned in said cover to engage and move the cover when said acoustic device is moved by said spring thereby to cause separation of said cover from the alarm device.
 3. Alarm apparatus comprising a support, can supporting means on said support, a can containing pressurized gas held by said supporting means, a tiltable valve on said can, an acoustic device mounted on said can, spring means on said support, releasable latch means holding said spring in stressed condition normally inactive with respect to said acoustic device, said spring means engaging said acoustic device when unlatched to tilt said device and valve and release gas to blow said acoustic device, a cover for said apparatus, means releasably holding said cover on said can, said acoustic device when tilted by said spring means engaging said cover and causing disengagement of said can and cover.
 4. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said cover holding means comprises resilient fingers embracing said can.
 5. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said fingers after movement by said spring engage said can at points exert an ejecting force of said cover from said can.
 6. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said can is cylindrical and said fingers embrace said can at points beyond a longitudinal diametrical plane and the movement of said cover by said spring means causes withdrawal of said embracement to points less than to said plane.
 7. Alarm apparatus comprising a bracket, can supporting means mounted on said bracket, a leaf spring having an end bent at an angle to said bracket and another end extending over said supporting means to hold the latter on the bracket means formed on said bracket engaging said other end of said spring to hold said spring in place, a releasable latching member engaging said bent end of said spring adjacent said bracket, a can containing pressurized gas held by said supporting means, a tiltable valve on said can, a gas-pressure-operated acoustic device mounted on said valve and tiltable with said valve to cause release of gas to blow said acoustic device, said acoustic device and said bent end of said spring being positioned to cause tilting of said horn by said spring when unlatched.
 8. Alarm apparatus as claimed in claim 7 having means on said bracket slidably supporting said latching member while in latching position for release by a force exerted vertically, horizontally or in directions in-between.
 9. Alarm apparatus comprising a support, a can containing pressurized gas mounted on said support, an acoustic device mounted on said can, valve means operable to release gas from said can to operate said acoustic device, a cover releasably mounted over said apparatus, releasable latching means, spring means mounted on said support and held in normally stressed condition by said latch, said latch means when released actuating said valve means and also removing said cover from its position covering said apparatus. 